Want to escape the biting winds and short dark days of autumn and spring in the Northern Hemisphere?
Want to swap thermal bib tights for bib shorts?
It’s simple. Go and cycle Mallorca.
But you knew that already….
Over the last two decades, Mallorca has been cementing its cycling destination credentials. It’s been helped along by the pro teams training there, well-marketed winter training camps and challenge rides like Mallorca 312.
For us, Mallorca has become the benchmark cycling destination by which we judge all others. In short, it’s a classic and it’s somewhere we think every cyclist should visit, at least once.
Cycling Mallorca has a long list of virtues – in a nutshell, think warm weather most of the year, smooth tarmac, consistent gradients, testing but do-able ascents, flatter options, easy flights from Europe, great accommodation and bike hire…
But one of Mallorca’s other, less talked about virtues, is that it works whether you’re on a cycling training camp or with your family/non-cyclists. There are towns, accommodation, bike rides and things to do to suit everyone. Need we say more? Just go!
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan unforgettable Mallorca cycling holidays: detailed information on the best Mallorca cycle routes plus where to stay, when to visit and where to get the best road bike hire on Mallorca.
Read on and plan your Mallorca road bike adventure.
Mallorca cycle routes
Wondering where to cycle in Mallorca?
Mallorca’s superb road network is heaven for cyclists; there are hundreds of potential rides you could do. The difficulty comes when you’ve only got a week and are trying to work out which are the best.
We’ve tried to make it easy.
Below you’ll find our pick of the best cycle routes in Mallorca; our favourite Mallorca cycling climbs and routes. These include some of the island’s most famous rides but also lesser-known gems, so hopefully something for everyone. We’d recommend browsing these, but if you’re really short of time, you might also find our pick of our top three Mallorca cycling routes helpful.
Most of our rides are in the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. This is located north of Palma, between Pollença and Andratx. It’s very distinctive: craggy grey limestone cliffs with Alpine-style hairpins and vertigo-inducing drops down to the turquoise sea. The range is also home to some of the loveliest villages: Sóller, Deià, Valldemossa, Fornalutx… Mallorca bike trips are a bit of a dream.
Below are some of our favourite climbs on Mallorca. Click the relevant tab on the map below to see the whole route – or you’ll find our in-depth guide to each climb just below the map.
(And don’t miss the really nice Sa Calobra t-shirt we’ve got over in our shop! Click here to take a look.)
Below are our pick of the best Mallorca cycling routes. Click the relevant tab on the Mallorca cycling routes map below to see the whole route – or you’ll find our in-depth guide to each route just below the map.
Feeling overwhelmed by choice?! Shortcut your decision process and head to our article that shares three of the best cycling routes on Mallorca!
One of the most challenging cycle routes in Mallorca is known as the “Big Daddy”, which takes in the whole of Mallorca’s northwest coast. Many say this is the best cycle route in Mallorca – but you’ll have to decide that! The route is accessible even if you don’t have transport as Mallorca Cycle Shuttle allow you to cycle one way and they pick you up and drive you the other direction.
If you’re less keen on the Puig Majors and “Big Daddy” rides and are after some easier Mallorca bike rides, they do exist!
Even in the northwest of Mallorca, there are many scenic, flat roads and good cycle paths. Examples of some easy cycle routes in Mallorca include:
s’Albufera Natura Park: 12 km paths around the nature reserve: entrance is free, and the paths are obviously traffic free! Use this map of the park to decide where to go. The Park is located south of Alcúdia, between Alcúdia and Can Picafort.
Port Pollenca to Alcúdia (or further to La Victória): a bike path on the sea-side of the road takes you much of the way along the bay road to Alcúdia. You can then head on normal roads to Mal Pas and all the way along the peninsula to La Victória. The highest point is 444 m. Be aware of all the non-cyclists on the bike path: skaters, runners, wind-surfers coming up from the beach…
Port de Pollença – Alcúdia – Sa Pobla – Pollença – Port de Pollença loop: 42 kilometres: head around the bay to Alcúdia and then Port d’Alcúdia and Parc Natural de s’Albufera. Head inland, southwest to Sa Pobla and then north again, past the beautiful church of Santa Margalida des Crestatx. You’re soon in old town Pollença, before completing the loop back to Port de Pollença.
Alternatively, consider the lanes out from Port de Pollensa through Sa Pobla towards Bunyola. Also the roads that take you to the island’s centre, around Sineu are pretty good for a flattish spin.
If you stay near Palma, there’s easy riding around Palma Bay on a 30km (20 mile) cycle path (out and back). You can cycle from the city to the resort area of Playa de Palma, entirely on cycle paths. It’s an out and back route so you can choose to do as much or as little as you want.
Cycling around the centre of Palma
Wondering about children’s bike hire in Mallorca? We hired children’s bikes from Nano Bicycles in Palma
Cycling along the seafront near Can Pastilla: great for Mallorca bicycle trips with kids
Mallorca 312 sportive offers a serious challenge for around 6,000 amateur riders each year. It was originally a 312 km ride around the island, but in 2016 it became a closed-road event in the north and west of the island with 167 km, 225 km and of course the famous Mallorca 312 route. If you’re interested in finding out more, don’t miss our in-depth guide to Mallorca 312.
Ironman 70.3 Mallorca is held around Alcúdia and the Tramuntana mountains in May each year. It’s very well known with competitors coming from across the world to swim 1.9km in Alcúdia Bay, bike 90.1km through the Tramuntana mountains and then run a half-marathon through the town.
Visit Mallorca to watch the pro Vuelta Mallorca cycling race (aka Cycling Challenge Race or Tour of Majorca) in January each year. It comprises four one day races with cyclists and teams choosing whether to race each day. Lots of the top pro teams use it as a season warm-up race.
Not a sportive, but if you’re in Mallorca, don’t miss the outdoor velodrome! The municipal velodrome is in the town of Sineu in the middle of the island.
Deciding where to stay in Mallorca can be a headache. Not because of the usual issue of whether the hotel is bike-friendly, but because there are so many good Mallorca bike hotels, it’s difficult to work out which is the best for you.
We loved our stay at Hotel Illa d’Or and would recommend it to friends. Its Port de Pollença location and good looks will appeal to both cyclists and non-cyclists. It’s an excellent option for cyclists that don’t like traditional, vast all-inclusive style cycling hotels.
If you’re trying to persuade a non-cycling companion that Mallorca is a great place for a holiday, this is the way to do it.
Looking to rent a road bike in Mallorca? Good news: cycle hire in Mallorca is easy. The quality of bike rental in Mallorca is generally high – there are plenty of cycle hire shops in all the main resorts and some companies will deliver to you wherever you are staying.
Below we list as many road bike hire shops as we could find, to help you with your planning. Please note:
This information is offered as an indicative guide only: we periodically update it but prices, services and bike brands may change. Please let us know if you find anything that is incorrect.
Bike hire Puerto Pollensa, Mallorca | |
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There are loads of options for bike hire in Pollensa, which is not surprising given it’s such a major hub for cycling on the island. We have only used Pro Cycle Hire (details below), but would love to know your favourite places for cycle hire in Puerto Pollensa | |
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Bikehead Mallorca C/ Caro 56 Santa Catalina 07013 Palma De Mallorca During high season: Puerto Azul Suite Hotel C/ Pere Melia 4 Port Pollença 07470 Pollença |
Focused on road bikes and offer Cannondale, Cervélo, Colnago, and Specialized. You can also rent a Garmin and download their suggested routes. Deliver all over Mallorca. |
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Bike Experience Mallorca Joan XXIII nº88, 07470 Port de Pollença |
A range of different road bikes as well as Giant mountain bikes. They provide guided routes and delivery all over the island (free if you spend more than 200 euros). |
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Bike Island Carrer de Formentor 14 |
Giant and Liv bikes available for hire. There’s also a bike café and servicing. |
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Huerzeler Carrer de Roger de Llúria, 34, 07470 Pollença |
Stock Cube and Centurion rental bikes. Website is in German. Have shops all over Mallorca. |
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Mallorca Bike Hire Carrer de la Verge del Carme, 67a, 07470 Pollença |
Claim to offer “Majorca’s best bikes” and stock ultegra equipped carbon fibre race bikes from Ridley, Cannondale and Orbea. They deliver within the Pollensa/Alcúdia area. Other delivery may be possible on request for an additional charge. Their site states they have their bikes set up with standard UK style i.e. rear break on the left. |
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Multi Hire Carrer de Méndez Núñez, 21, 07470 Pollença |
All sorts of bikes available for hire – from carbon road bikes to balance bikes. |
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Pro Cycle Hire, Mallorca (also referred to as Pro Bike Hire Mallorca) Carrer Corb Mari 6, Puerto Pollença |
If you’re looking to rent a bike in Puerto Pollensa, Pro Cycle Hire are one of the best-known companies on the island, they’re well known for their cycle hire in Puerto Pollensa. They offer over 20 bike models including carbon, titanium, time trial and alloy bikes and the brands Van Nicholas, Koga, Massi, and Colnago. They set the bike up to your measurements. You can give them these in advance, or they can measure you when you arrive. They also have an in-house bike repair service. |
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Pollença Cycling Carrer de Vicenç Buades, 6, 07470 Puerto de Pollença |
Road biking specialists who stock carbon Kuota road bikes. For rentals for more than three days, they will deliver. Delivery is free to certain areas. Included in the price are pedals, computer, saddle bag with a spare inner tube and tyre levers, two water bottle cages and a small pump. |
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Pinarello Experience, Mallorca Calle Temple Fielding 3 and 5, Puerto Pollensa |
As the name suggests, this is where to come for Pinarello hire, Mallorca. They offer premium Pinarello bikes from a luxurious showroom near the seafront and Tolo’s restaurant. |
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Rent March pro cycling Mallorca C/Juan XXIII, 8907470 Puerto De Pollensa |
Rent March Pollensa offer competitively priced Trek road bikes for hire. They also offer motorbike rental from the same shop. |
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2goCycling Carrer de la Gola, 11, 07470 Pollença |
Stock a large range of road bikes for rent. |
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OQ Service Course 3 Local 1 Carre Temple H. Fielding, Puerto Pollensa |
Not ride bike rental but Ottilie Quince offers a range of other bike related services, from guided rides to sports massage, bike service, bike wash and bike build. |
Bike hire Alcúdia, Mallorca | |
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Bike Hire Alcudia/Niu Wave Bicicletes Av. Marina, 6. 07400. Alcúdia |
Opened in 1988. Offer BH, Basso, Cube and Giant bikes to rent. |
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Bicimed Carretera d’Artà, 142, 07400 Alcúdia |
Simplon bikes. All clients can be measured with a 3D body scanner to ensure the bike they hire is well-fitted to them. It’s also possible to hire a GPS and upgrade your wheelset for an additional price. Website is in German. |
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Bimont Bike Hire Alcudia Carretera d’Artà, 38, 07400 Port d’Alcúdia |
A range of bikes including Cannondale, Bianchi and Specialized. |
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Ecobikes and PACO’s Ecobikes, Carretera d’Artà, 41, Las Candelas, Puerto de Alcúdia PACO’s, Calle Diana, 10, Bloque 6, bajos, Puerto de Alcúdia |
Stock a range of leisure bikes, e-bikes and also Felt road bikes. |
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New Horizon Avda. de la Playa nº307410 Puerto de Alcúdia |
Kross, Trek, Scott and Orbea road bikes to hire in Alcudia. |
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Rad Salon Avenida Albufera 25, E – 07458 Playa de Muro (They also have a tie up with a few hotels) |
A BMC test centre where you can rent various models of BMC bikes. Website in German and English. |
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Sun Cycling C/ del coral, n7, Puerto Alcúdia |
Time, Scott and Felt road bikes. |
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Wheels Sport has are two stores to choose from: Port d’Alcúdia (Av. Nicolau Riera Marsá 2 07400) and Can Picafort (Crta. Alcúdia – Arta, 56 07458). |
Each store provides rental bikes (Merckx road bikes and the full range of other types of bikes) and has a repair centre. Bikes can also be delivered. |
Palma De Mallorca bike hire | |
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Berganti Bikes Avenida Bartolomé Riutort 59, 07610 Can Pastilla |
Based on the beachfront, 5 minutes from the airport they stock Moozes road bikes as well as a wide range of other bikes. |
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Bikehead Mallorca C/ Caro 56 Santa Catalina 07013 Palma De Mallorca During high season: Puerto Azul Suite Hotel C/ Pere Melia 4 Port Pollença 07470 Pollença |
Focused on road bikes and offer Cannondale, Cervélo, Colnago and Specialized. You can also rent a Garmin and download their suggested routes. Deliver all over Mallorca. |
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Nano Bikes Carrer de la Mar 10, Palma |
2 minutes from the cathedral. Provide Specialized road bikes (aluminum and carbon) as well as city bikes, mountain bikes, electric bikes and children’s bikes. All their bicycles can be delivered and picked-up throughout the island. Also offer tours (though these seem aimed at leisure cyclists on city or touring bikes) and have an on-site mechanic. |
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Palma on Bike Avinguda de Gabriel Roca, 15, 07014 Palma 10, Av. d’Antoni Maura, 07002 Palma |
Stock a wide range of bikes from city bikes to carbon frame race bikes: Focus, Specialized, Felt. |
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Ride a bike Mallorca Carrer de Tous i Maroto, 5, 07001 Palma |
Predominantly city bikes and cruisers, but also stock road bikes. |
Other road bike rental Mallorca | |
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Tramuntana Tours Two shops, one in the centre of Sóller (Calle de la Luna, 72) and the other in Puerto Sóller (Paseo de Traves, 12). |
A tour company but also a Trek test centre, they stock a range of Trek road, mountain, hybrid, electric and children’s bikes. They can deliver and collect bikes for an additional cost. Cycle computers are fitted as standard to most of their bikes. |
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Stephen Roche Cycle Hire Ponent Mar Hotel in Son Caliu |
Carbon fibre Pinarello road bikes and city bikes. |
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Bike Sancho P. Maritim, nº13 07559 Cala Bona |
Running since 1972 and offers road bikes, including Pinarello, Corratex and Opera. Also hire mountain bikes, electric bikes, kids bikes and tandem bikes. Their workshop includes an express service which allows you to get your bike fixed on the spot. |
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Embat Ciclos Avenida Bartolomé Riutort, 27, 07610 Can Pastilla |
Carbon and aluminium road bikes and a full range of other bikes too, including e-bikes. |
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Velo Sport Team Mallorca Gomila, Calle Juan Capo 7, 07200 Felanitx |
Based in the east of Mallorca and rent road bikes, mountain bikes and trekking bikes. |
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TramuntBike Avd. Jaime I nº 54 Loc. 507180 Santa Ponsa |
Specialise in mountain bike hire but also have some road bikes and electric bikes. |
Tips:
Book your Mallorca bike hire in advance, particularly in peak season.
Mallorca’s reputation is built on being an awesome place for early season training. But if you want to play it safe, don’t go too early. Snow is possible in January and February. November to the end of February is a quieter period for cycling in Mallorca and many cycling facilities (bike hire shops, hotels etc) may be shut or only open for limited hours during this period.
If your priority is cycling, we’d avoid June to August (especially school holidays) as the roads get pretty clogged up, and the heat can be searing.
We have visited four times, three times in the early season – end of February and March – when we found the skies were blue and the roads blissfully quiet, though the temperatures still required arms and legs to be covered. We also visited at the end of October and had a week of cloudy skies and rain – perhaps bad luck, but statistically October is one of Mallorca’s most rainy months.
While the below should be a good guide, remember that the Tramuntana mountains have a particular microclimate. Also remember to stash that jacket, because at higher altitude, you’ll find temperatures a bit cooler than they were when you left your hotel room!
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November |
Professional cycling teams descend in winter, but don’t expect all the bars, restaurants, hotels and bike hire shops to be open. It can be pretty chilly, and you may get some rain – or even snow in the mountains (November is historically the wettest month). But there should be plenty of sunny days too! December can be a particularly nice month on Mallorca. This is low season for the main Mallorca tourist industry, so the roads are quiet. In February you’ll also see the incredible almond blossom.
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December | |
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January | |
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February | |
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March |
Spring starts to arrive in March and temperatures begin to rise. March to May is peak season for amateur cycling, and from March onwards lots of restaurants and hotels are now open (from April everything is open). If you’re hoping to lie on the beach after your ride, don’t come until at least the end of April – and you won’t want to be swimming in the water until later on in May. May sees the non-cycling tourist traffic pick up and June sees the start of high season for the main tourist industry. Days are hot and evenings warm. If Sa Calobra is your focus, note that the restaurants at the bottom open from mid-February. By May you’ll need to get to Sa Calobra and Cap Formentor early in the morning to avoid getting stuck behind traffic (plan to be away by 11 am).
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April | |
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May | |
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June | |
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July |
Peak tourist season, with July and August being most busy. High temperatures and some humidity can make riding hard work, with August usually being the hottest and most humid month of the year. Consider setting your alarm for sunrise to avoid the tourist traffic and midday sun. Cycling in the evenings is ok, but the roads release the heat they have absorbed during the day, so mornings are better.
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August | |
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September |
Temperatures cool, this is especially noticeable in the evenings, and the package holiday industry slows down. However, in September, you’ll still need to leave Sa Calobra and Cap Formentor before 11 am to beat the traffic. September-November has statistically the highest amount of rainfall and you might encounter rain and thunderstorms. That said, much of each month can be expected to be sunny or mostly sunny. |
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October |
Our favourite general guidebook on Mallorca is Lonely Planet Mallorca. It gives useful general information about the island and is a good guide to Mallorca resorts. The sections on island history, local customs, culture and food are well-written.
If you’re only in Mallorca for a few days, and want something a bit lighter, try the DK Eyewitness Top 10 Mallorca. It gives you the essential places you need to go in a convenient pocket-size, but doesn’t dwell on the details.
Not cycling related, but if you want to get a feel for Mallorca away from the “Brits boozing it up in Magaluf” cliché, the books by British expat Anna Nicholas are for you – the first in the series is A Lizard in My Luggage. Part travelogue for the armchair traveller and part practical guide for those that like to get off the beaten track, the books will make you want to get a trip planned as soon as possible.
Peter Kerr’s books offer a more humorous take on life in Mallorca. We love the vivid, spikey descriptions of places, people and local cuisine that make you want to jump on a plane. The first in the series is Thistle Soup, which is the prequel to the Mallorcan based books. The first book based in Mallorca is Snowball Oranges.
Winter in Majorca by George Sand is the classic book about Mallorca. George Sand was Chopin’s lover. They lived in Valdemossa during the winter of 1838-39 while Chopin was suffering from tuberculosis. Sand’s book is an interesting read and shows her love for Mallorcan nature – though she seems to have pretty much hated everything else!
Unsurprisingly, Mallorca’s fine vistas have been used as the backdrop for a number of famous TV series and films. What better way to get into the holiday spirit than via the big screen?!
2014 film “A Long Way Down” starring Pierce Brosnan, Toni Collette and Aaron Paul.
Mallorca is the largest of the Spanish Balearic islands. It is found in the Mediterranean, east of the Spanish mainland.
Though there are ferries to Mallorca from the Spanish mainland (Barcelona and Valencia), most people get to Mallorca aboard an aeroplane.
Thankfully Mallorca is well-served with flights and flight times from the UK are about 2.5 hours. In summer more than 14 flights per day leave London Gatwick alone. There are fewer flights out of season, but it’s still possible to get to Mallorca cheaply since both national carriers, such as BA, and budget airlines, such as Easyjet, Ryanair and Monarch fly to Palma.
Palma de Mallorca Airport is located 11km (6 miles) southeast of Palma.
Is it Majorca or Mallorca? We think Mallorca. “Majorca” is a British invention, needed because they couldn’t get their tongues around the fact that double “ll” is pronounced “y”.
Talking of names, did you know that Alcúdia and Port d’Alcúdia are different places – as are Pollença and Port de Pollença! But some guides talk about Pollença or Alcúdia when they mean the ports – so be careful. You’ll see Port de Pollença also referred to as Porto de Pollenca, Puerto de Pollenca, Porte de Pollenca, Port Pollenca, Porto Pollenca – as well as all of these but with Pollensa or Pollenca instead of Pollença. They’re all the same place!
What’s more, everyone knows the popular climb as Sa Calobra, but its official name is the Col dell Reis. Sa Calobra is the name of the town at the bottom.
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